Fiber length distribution measuring instrument



Aug. 11, 1953 Q L. M. Pus'rER FIBER LENGTH DISTRIBUTION MEASURING INSTRUMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 2, 1947 M. Z M

L. M. PUSTER Aug. 11, 1953 FIBER LENGTH DISTRIBUTION MEASURING INSTRUMENT Filed July 2, 1947 6 Sheeiis-Sheet 2 a bin-000 0 L. M. PUSTER Aug. 1 1, 1953 I FIBER LENGTH DISTRIBUTION MEASURING INSTRUMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 2, 1947 awe/rm M. PUSTER Aug. 11, 1953 FIBER LENGTH DISTRIBUTION MEASURING INSTRUMENT e Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 2, 1947 (NIH L. M. PUSTER Aug. 11, 1953 FIBER LENGTH DISTRIBUTION MEASURING INSTRUMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I Filed July 2, 1947 IN VEN TOR. Louisbl. Pusber BY V After/legs Aug. 11, 1953 L. M. PUSTER 2, 2

FIBER LENGTH DISTRIBUTION MEASURING INSTRUMENT Filed July 2, 1947 e Sheets-Sheet e IN V EN TOR.

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Attorneys Patented Aug. 11, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIBER LENGTH DISTRIBUTION MEASURING INSTRUMENT Application July 2, 1947, Serial No. 758,663

6 Claims.

The invention relate 'to measuring instruments and more particularly to instruments for measuring .the lengths and distribution of fibers.

Heretolore various fiber measuring devices have been proposed among these being that disclosed in the United States Patent No. 2,299,983, issued to Kenneth L. Hertel on October 27, 1942. In this device two photoelectric cells are connected inseries and a galvanometer is connected across them .in parallel. A single source of light radiates to both cells. A sample of cotton is moved between the sources of light and one cell and alone witha variable aperture adjusted between the source'of light and the second cell so thatat any givenmomentthe light entering both cells is equal, any unbalance bein shown by the galvanometer. The motion imparted to the sample and the motion of adjustment of the lens are mechanically transmitted to a pen and a length distribution curve is traced. This curve when suitably analyzed indicates fiber length and cu mulative numbers of fibers.

Diiiiculty has been experienced in these prior devices in obtaining initial adjustment with standard samples to provide accurate length distribution curves and in adjustment of the-lens apertures to balance the cells. Adjustments have "been possible only by the use of complicated structures which-arein themselves difficult to maintain in correct operating relationship.

The present invention overcomes these prior difiiculties and resulting inaccuracies by employing one "source of light for the light responsive device for analyzing thefiber samples and a second source of light for the light responsive device employed to balance the galvanometer. Instead of employing adjustable lenses between the second source of light and its light responsive device the second source of light is moved'with respect to the balancing light responsive device to vary the intensity of light entering the light responsive device to balance the galvanometer. This movement and the movement of the samples are -mechanically transmitted to a pen to trace a fiber length distribution curve. The amount of light transmitted through the sample has been found to approximate an exponential function while the amount of light transmitted tothe balancing light responsive device is in proportion to the inverse square of the distance between the source of light and the light responsive device. A correction must therefore be made to compensate automatically for the difference of functions if the length distribution curve is to be accurate. This correction is most advantageously supplied in the present invention by moving the balancing light responsive device with respect to its source of light. This movement may be imparted by utilizing a cam surface moved by the motion of the source of light for the balancing light responsive device.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel fiber measuring device in which the movements of the fiber samples with respect to alight responsive device and the movement of a source of light withrespect to a balancing light responsive device are mechanically utilized to trace a fiber length distribution curve.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel device in which the balancing light responsive device is moved with respect to its source of light as its source of light is moved with respect to the balancing light responsive device to correct automatically the difference in functions of the light passed through the samples and the light received by the balancing light responsive device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device in which no adjustable lenses or complicated mechanical structures are required to regulate the amount of light received by the balancing light responsive device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which will require a minimum of adjustment after initial adjustment by the maker.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a measuring device having a minimum of moving parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel means for imparting movement to the balancing light responsive device with respect to its source of light.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel electric circuit for the light responsive devices and associated galvanometer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel measuring device which is simple to use, compact, durable and of dependable and accurate operation.

Other and further objects of the present invention will appear as the description thereof proceeds.

One embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings and is described hereinafter to illustrate this invention. This should not be construed as defining the scope of the inventive concept but reference should be had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In these drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar parts,

Fig. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of this invention with the face plate removed to show a part of the electrical wiring and with the light source for the sample analysing light responsive device rotated to its raised position to show the samples in analysing position;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the back plate removed to show the electrical wiring, the relative positions of the several elements and with the cover of the phototubes removed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the electrical circuit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the means shown in Fig. 1 for imparting movement to the balancing light responsive device;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the electrical circuit seen in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of the novel electric circuit shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view of the lenses and collimators employed to direct the light through the sample being measured and to transmit the light passed by the sample to the analyzing light responsive device.

In the several figures and in particular in Fig. 1 the embodiment of the invention here shown may be provided with any suitable casing or housing l8, which may be provided with front and back cover plates here omitted for purposes of clarity, and said housing may be mounted upon a resilient pad Supported within housing In is support member l2 which carries switches l3,

l4 and 94, bearings I5 and I6 and element bearing indicia IT. Support member l2 also carries panel I8 which extends across the width and height of housing It) and divides the same into two compartments.

Housing ID at l9 provides a suitable bearing for shaft which extends through bearing |5 to rotate bevel gear 2|. Rotation is imparted to shaft 29 by hand wheel 22. Support |2 at 23 provides a suitable bearing for a vertically disposed shaft 24 which passes through partition 25 and carries cross member 26. Vertical reciprocating movement is imparted to shaft 24 by bevel gear 21 which slidably engages squared portion 28 of shaft 24 and meshes with bevel gear 2|, and by gear 29 which engages threaded portion 30 of shaft 24 and which is held against rotation by finger 3|. Secured to shaft 24 for reciprocating vertical movement therewith is pen actuating arm 32 which terminates in pen engaging extension 33.

Suitably supported in bearings 34 and 35 carried by support l2 and partition 25 respectively is shaft 36 upon which sleeve 31 is slidably mounted. Sleeve 31 carries arms 38 and 39 which terminate in pen holder 40. A spring 4| urges arms 38 and 39 and pen holder 40 toward partition l8 and into position for engagement of arm 38 by extension 33 as it moves upwardly.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 4, a panel member 4| provided with a bearing 42 and internally threaded projection 43 is mounted for reciprocating movement behind shafts 24 and 31 and parallel to panel |8, bearing 42 sliding upon shaft 29 and threaded projection 43 engaging threaded shaft 44 which rotates in bearing l6 and in aperture 45 in housing ID. Shaft 44 is rotated by hand wheel 46. Projection 43 is provided with indicia 43 for registration with the indicia carried by member H. Member 4| is of reduced width at 4'! and carries cam 48 adjacent thereto, cam 48 being adjustably mounted by Virtue of clamping screws 49 and slots 50. Any suitable spring clip 5| is secured to panel 4| to hold a card 52 under pen holder 40. Panel 4| also supports a light socket 52 carrying light 53.

Panel |8 is cut away at 54 and has tracks 55 and 56 secured to its reverse side, as seen in Fig. 5, to receive a panel 51 for reciprocating movement therein. A spring 59 (Figs. 2 and 5) biases panel 51 to the left as seen in Fig. 1. Reciprocating movement is imparted to panel 5! by bell crank lever 60 pivoted at 6| to extension 62 of panel l8 and engaging cam 48 by turned extension 63, the other arm 64 of bell crank 60 being in contact with pin 65 adjustably secured in slot 65' in panel 51. Panel 51 supports a suitable light responsive device here shown as a vacuum phototube 66, disposed opposite light 53. Tube 66 may be protected from extraneous light by shield 6'1 apertured at'68 and provided with a suitable light filter 69.

A suitable housing 10 is hinged at H to hinge elements 12 secured to housing In and carries fluorescent tube 13 (Fig. 7). Tube 13 is energized through cable 14 and is provided with a suitable starting switch 15 and ballast 16 (Figs. 2 and 5). Housing 79 is slotted at 11 for the passage of light from tube '13. Slot 11 may contain a suitable collimator 18 held in place by clamp 19' to concentrate and straighten the light rays emanating from tube 13. Collimator 18 may be made up of a plurality of translucent rectangular parallelepipeds 19 of relatively small cross sectional area as compared to their length and joined together along their longer sides by opaque cement. It will be readily apparent that the smaller the cross sectional area of the parallelepipeds the straighter will be the light rays passing therefrom.

Hinge elements 12 are so chosen that when housing 10 is rotated from the raised position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1 to lowered position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 slot 11 will register with a slot 80 in housing In and light rays emitted from collimator 18 will pass through slot 80. Slot 60 may in turn be provided with a collimator 8| (Fig. '7) of similar construction to collimator 18.

The fibers to be measured, generally indicated at 82, are supported across slot 80 by clamps or combs 83 of known construction as shown in Hertel Patent No. 2,299,983 which are secured to cross arm 26 for movement therewith.

Referring to Fig. 2 an opaque housing 84 is secured above slot 8!! and is designed to receive a pair of lenses 85. Lenses 85, best seen in Fig. 7, are formed of suitable translucent material,

such as Lucite, and receive the light rays passing through slot 80 and collimator 8| through their rounded and wider ends 86 and concentrate the light rays at their narrower ends 88. Ends 88 may be cut away at an angle to provide a refleeting surface 89 to direct the light rays into suitable light responsive devices here shown as vacuum phototubes 90 and 9|, housing 84 being apertured at 92 and 93 to pass the light rays.

A circuit suitable for use with the present invention is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6 where 94, 95 is any suitable source of alternating current admitted to voltage regulating transformer 95 through switch l3. One side of the output of transformer 96 is connected by wire 91 to rectifier tube 98 and the other side is connected by wire 99 to tube 66. The output of rectifier 98 is taken by wire I90 through a suitable resistance HH and wire I02 through a suitable sensitizing resistance I03 to a bridge circuit in which equal resistance I05 and I06 comprise two sides of the bridge grounded at I01 and tubes 90 and 9! and tube 66 comprise the other two sides of the bridge, tubes 99 and SI being connected in parallel and being connected by wire I04 between resistances I03 and H35 and tubes 90 and 9| and tube 66 being connected in series bywire I08. The sides of the bridge connected by wire I08 are connected by wire we to switch 94 and switch 94 is connected by wire Hill to one grid III of twin triode tube II'2. Filament M3 for grid III is connected to a suitable resistance I I4 to keep temperatures low to prevent grid emission and resistance lid is connected by wire I I5 to one filament I I6 of rectifier cc and to wire I98 supplying filament voltage. Filament H6 is connected to the other filament lI'l of rectifier 98 and filament II! is grounded at IIB.

Filament I I3 of tube l 12 is connected in series by wire M9 to the other filament 217 of the tube H2 and filament M25 is grounded at i2I. Cath- Queen: and I 2s of tube 1 I2are connected by wire I24 to a suitable resistance I25 which is in turn connected by wire Ifit to a suitable potentiometer I21 which is connected by wire I28 to ground I61. Grid I29 of tube IE2 is connected to potentiometer I21 by wire I38. A. bridge circuit is formed with the two sides of resistance I2! comprising two sides of the bridge and suitable resistances I30 and I3I comprising the other two sides of the bridge, sides I36 and Hi being connected by wire I32 to wire lit and grid Ill. Plates I33 and I34 of tube H2 are connected by wires I35 and 1:36 to suitable resistance lei and I38 respectively and resistances I3? and tat are connected by wire I39 to wire It's. A suitable galvanometer I453 is connected across plates I33 and I34 and has a bridging circuit Mi which includes switch It and a suitable resistance I42. Galvanometer I4!) is preferably of the conventional reflecting type reflecting light from a suitable source onto a screen Mt (Fig. 1) having suitable indicia for indicating the neutral position of the galvanometer.

A suitable condenser I43 may be connected across the rectifier output and transformer re-- turn as by bridging wires Iil2'and $39 to smooth out the rectifier output.

The output or transformer at is connected by wires I'M and I45 to' one side of a suitable transformer I96 the other side of which is led'through a suitable resistance I91 by wire I98 to a light I99 for galvanometer Mil. Light I99 is grounded zit-263. Wire 26E leads from wire Itilto variable resistances 262 and 232' which are connected in series and resistance 29.2 is connected by wire 283 tolight source '53 for phototube 66. The other side of light 53 is grounded at 294. As-above stated wire II-Eisconnected to wire I98 to supply voltage to the several filamentsiof the tubes '98 and-I I2.

-With the novel measuring instrument of the present invention set up and organized as above described the final shape of the surface of the cam 48 to compensate for the diiference in functions of the light received by the tubes and for a given. instrument and type of fiber is found b the following procedure, it being understood that the approximate shape of this surface is known for the arrangement of parts and circults as above described. Switch I3 is closed to energize the twin triode tube H2 and lights '53 and I33 and switch 54 is opened. 'The inputs of tube H2 are then brought into balance by suitable adjustment of potentiometer I21 as indicated by a zero displacement of galvanometer MI]. Switch 94 is then'closed, panel 4| is moved by hand wheel '46 until the indicia on elements I i and projection 43 coincide and fluorescent tube 73 is illuminated. The circuit is now balanced by suitable adjustment or variable resistances 202 and 202 to vary the intensity of the light received by tube 68. When more light is received by tubes and 9| than is received by tube 66 a positive potential will be impressed upon grid III which will unbalance twin triode tube H2 and this unbalance will be reflected by displacement of galvanometer I49. When more light is received by tube 66 than is received by tubes '93 and 9! a negative'potential will be impressed upon grid III and twin triode tube II2 will be unbalanced in the opposite direction as reflected by an opposite displacement of galvanometer I40. When the light received by tubes 9!) and 9| is equal to that received by tube 66 a zero potential is impressed upon grid III and since twin triode tube IIZ has previously been balanced this zero potential is reflected by azero displacement of the galvanometer I49.

Having suitably adjusted resistances 292 and 202 to balance the circuit, standard samples of linen embossed cellophane of known construction and organization such as those described in the Hertel patent are fixed in combs 83 and with combs 83 in their lowest positions. Hand wheel 22 is then rotated to move combs 83 and the standard samples a predetermined distance and handwheel 46 is rotated to move panel 4| by an amount calculated to balance the circuit by moving light 53 away from tube 6t and diminishing the intensity of the light received by tube 65. Any unbalance of the circuit now exhibited by displacement of galvanometer I4!) is corrected by modification of the cam surface of cam 48 immediately beneath extension 63 of bell crank lever 69 to move panel 4'! and tube 5?: toward or away from light 53 as may be required. This procedure is repeated as many times as may be necessary to perfect the shape of the surface of cam 43. Further adjustments may be obtained by moving pin 65 in slot 65' if it is found that greater or lesser rise of cam surface is required. This procedure should be done in the factory and once this cam surface is determined the instrument is adjusted and should require no further adjustment in the hands of the user. In this connection it should be noted that the instrument may be provided with a plurality of cams iil corresponding to different standard samples which may be readily installed by the user to adapt the instrument for the measurement of various types of fibers. It should further be noted that while for the purposes of clarity the adjustment and operation of this device has heretofore been described in the case where the amounts of light received by the tubesare adjusted to equality that the same results maybe obtained when the amounts of light so received are not equal but vary by a known differential.

Controlled conditions of relative humidity should be maintained while adjusting the cam surface of cam 48. The standard samples of linen embossed cellophane have been found to have the property of varying light transmission with changes in relative humidity. More light is transmitted by such samples under conditions of: high humidity than is transmitted with the con dition of low humidity. This phenomenon may be utilized after calibration of the instrument for a given humidity to measure changes therein or to operate controls to adjust the humidity.

With the cam surface of cam 48 predetermined for a given type of fiber to measure samples of this fiber, cross arm 26 is moved to its lowest position, the indicia on element l1 and projection 43 brought into registration, a card 52 is slipped beneath clip 5| and beneath the pen in holder 40, samples 82 of the fiber to be measured are prepared in known manner on combs 83 as described in the Hertel patent, and switch 13 is closed to energize transformer 96, bulbs 53 and I99, rectifier 98 and twin triode tube H2. Switch 94 is opened and tube H2 is balanced as above described and thereafter fluorescent tube 13 energized and the circuit again balanced as described above. Housing is then rotated to raised position as seen in Fig. 1, combs 83 are attached to cross arm 26 with samples 82 extending downwardly over slot 80 and housing 10 rotated to lowered position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 so that the light from tube 13 will pass through collimator 78, through the samples 82, through collimator BI and into lenses 85 and tubes 90 and 91. Hand wheel 22 is now rotated to raise cross arm 26 to move the samples 82 through the light passing to tubes 90 and SI and the intensity of this light varies depending upon fiber length and distribution in the sample. At the same time hand wheel 46 is rotated to move light 53 away from tube 66 to keep the circuit in balance, as above described, with cam 48 imparting movement to panel 51 and tube 66 to automatically provide required corrections. Arm 32 moving with cross arm 26 imparts vertical movement to the pen in holder 40 and card 52 is moved laterally with respect to the pen in holder 40 and the results of these movements are traced on card 52 as a fiber length distribution curve.

After the sample 82 has passed slot 80 card 52 bearing a completed length distribution curve for the sample is removed and may then be analyzed in known manner to show relative numbers of fiber in per cent and fiber length.

It will now be apparent that the present invention provides a novel instrument for measuring the length and distribution of fibers and adapted to the measurement of relative humidities in which the movement of fiber samples through a beam of light received by a light responsive device is coupled with the movement of a source of light with respect to a second light responsive device to equalize or bring to a predetermined differential the light received by the light responsive devices to trace a length distribution curve for the fiber sample; in which corrections for individual instruments, types of fibers and difference in functions of the light admitted to the light responsive devices are automatically supplied by automatically adjusting the position of the second light responsive device with respect to its source of light; in which a novel circuit is utilized for indicating the relative amounts of light received by the light responsive devices; in which novel collimators and lenses are employed to direct and focus the light received by the first light responsive device; and which is simple and easy to use, requiring a minimum of adjustment, and is compact, durable and of dependable and accurate operation.

Changes to and modifications of the above described illustrative embodiment of the present invention may now be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the inventive concept. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims to determine the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

i. In an instrument of the type described, a light responsive device, a source of light for said light responsive device, a second light responsive device, a second source of light for said second light responsive device, means for moving a sample of fibers to be measured across the path of light from said first light source, means for moving said second light source with respect to said second light responsive device to bring the amounts of light received by said light responsive devices to a predetermined diiferential, automatically actuated means movable with said second light source to vary the position of said second light responsive device with respect to the position of said second light source to supply instrument corrections and mechanical means moved by the movement of the sample and by the movement of said second light source for effecting a resultant of the movements of the sample and of said second light source.

2. In an instrument of the type described, a light responsive device, a source of light for said light responsive device, a second light responsive device, a second source of light for said second light responsive device; means for moving a sample of fibers to be measured across the path of light from said first light source, means for moving said second light source with respect to said second light responsive device to bring the amounts of light received by said light responsive devices to a predetermined differential, cam means moved with said second light source, a cam follower engaging said cam means and connected to said second light responsive device to vary the position of said second light responsive device with respect to the position of said second light source to supply instrument corrections and means activated by the movement of the sample and by the movement of said second light source for effecting a resultant of the movements of the sample and of said second light source.

3. In an instrument of the type described having an analysing light responsive device, a movable balancing light responsive device and individual sources of light for the light responsive devices, means for moving the source of light for the balancing light responsive device with respect to the balancing light responsive device to bring the amounts of light received by the light responsive devices to a predetermined differential and correction supplying means including a cam moving with the source of light for the balancing light responsive device and a cam follower engaging said cam and connected to the movable balancing light responsive device to whereby the position of the balancing light responsive device is changed with respect to its source of light as its source of light is moved.

4. In an instrument of the type described a light responsive device and a source of light for said light responsive device, manual means for moving fiber samples across the path of light from said light source, drawing means following the movement of the samples, card supporting means beneath said drawing means, manual means for moving said card supporting means with respect to said drawing means, a second source of light carried by said card supporting means, a second light responsive device adjacent said second source of light, a cam carried by said card supporting means and means engaging said cam and said second light responsive device to vary the position of said second light responsive device with respect to said second source of light.

5. In a circuit for determining the relative amounts of light received by light responsive devices, a bridge circuit including two equal resistances connected in series and two light responsive devices connected in series and connected to form the four sides of the bridge, a twin triode tube, a variable resistance connected to one grid of said tube to balance the tube, means for energizing said grid, means connecting the other grid of said tube to the series connection of the light responsive devices, a galvanometer connected across the plates of said tube and means energizing said bridge circuit, means for energizing said other grid of said tube, means for connecting the series connection of said equal resistances to the filaments of said tube whereby when said tube is balanced any inequality of the amounts of light received by the light responsive devices will unbalance said tube and displace said galvanometer.

6. In an instrument of the type described a light responsive device and a source of light for said light responsive device, manual means for moving fiber samples across the path of light from said light source, drawing means following the movement of the samples, card supporting 10 means beneath said drawing means, manual means for moving said card supporting means with respect to said drawing means, a second source of light carried by said card supporting means, and a second light responsive device adjacent said second source of light.

LOUIS M. PUSTER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,729,517 Neale Sept. 24, 1929 1,963,128 Geister June 19, 1934 2,016,036 FitzGerald Oct. 1, 1935 2,037,044 Reinartz et a1 Apr. 14, 1936 2,139,474 Shepard, Jr Dec. 6, 1938 2,233,879 Tolman Mar. 4, 1941 2,256,595 Metcalf Sept. 23, 1941 2,262,362 Gulliksen Nov. 11, 1941 2,267,544 Wente Dec. 23, 1941 2,299,983 Hertel Oct. 27, 1942 2,300,999 Williams Nov.'3, 1942 2,395,422 ODwyer Feb. 26, 1946 2,410,104 Rainey Oct. 29, 1946 2,472,019 Kinderman May 31, 1949 2,490,370 Neuwirth Dec. 6. 1949 

